title: Humerus fractures at a regional trauma center: an epidemiologic study.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to outline the epidemiologic criteria of humerus fractures after traumatic injuries. All patients admitted to the trauma service at the authors' institution between 2005 and 2011 were entered into a prospective database. The authors obtained data on age, sex, injury mechanism, presence and location of humerus fracture, associated injuries, mortality, Injury Severity Score, treatment, and length of stay. Patients were matched to a group of patients with pelvic fractures with similar Injury Severity Scores to investigate whether significant differences existed between the 2 groups. Of the 11,007 trauma patients admitted, 209 (1.9%) had a humerus fracture. Associated fractures occurred in 154 (73.7%) patients. The mortality rate for all trauma patients during this period was 4.5%; it was 12% among those with humerus fractures and 21% among those with humeral shaft injuries. Several significant differences existed between the humerus fracture group and the pelvic fracture group. Visceral injuries were more common in the pelvic group, whereas associated fractures and head injuries were more common in the humerus fractures group. Age, sex, and length of stay were also significantly different between the 2 groups, but mortality was not significantly different. Humerus fractures in polytrauma patients are often associated with multiple injuries and a high mortality rate, especially for patients with humeral shaft fractures. A comprehensive evaluation of the patient is necessary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, 1015 Walnut St, Ste 801, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. michael.bercik@gmail.com
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bercik
authors.forename: Fotios P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Tjoumakaris
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pepe
authors.forename: Bradford
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Axelrad
authors.forename: Alvin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.forename: Luke
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Austin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000401:mortality; D015994:Incidence; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000401:mortality*; D009515:New Jersey / Q000453:epidemiology; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000293:injuries*; D010414:Pennsylvania / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014193:Trauma Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult